Top 12 Peoplesoft Administrator Skills to Put on Your Resume

In today's competitive job market, standing out as a Peoplesoft Administrator requires a specific set of skills that showcase your expertise and adaptability in managing complex HRM and CRM systems. This article delves into the top 12 skills you need to highlight on your resume to demonstrate your proficiency and value to potential employers in this specialized field.

Peoplesoft Administrator Skills

1. PeopleTools
2. Application Engine
3. Integration Broker
4. PeopleCode
5. SQR
6. Oracle Database
7. SQL Server
8. ElasticSearch
9. Change Assistant
10. Data Mover
11. PS Query
12. Process Scheduler

1. PeopleTools

PeopleTools is a proprietary development and runtime environment provided by Oracle for building, customizing, and administering PeopleSoft applications. It includes tools for application design, development, testing, and deployment, facilitating the management and maintenance of PeopleSoft systems.

Why It's Important

PeopleTools is essential for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it provides the necessary development and administrative tools to build, customize, and maintain PeopleSoft applications effectively, ensuring optimal performance and user experience.

How to Improve PeopleTools Skills

Improving PeopleTools for a PeopleSoft Administrator involves several strategies focused on optimizing system performance, ensuring security, and keeping the software up to date. Here are concise pointers:

1. Stay Updated: Regularly update PeopleTools and PeopleSoft applications to leverage new features and performance improvements. Oracle's PeopleSoft Information Portal is a valuable resource.

2. Monitor Performance: Use Performance Monitor in PeopleTools to track system performance and identify bottlenecks. This Oracle guide provides insights on utilizing Performance Monitor effectively.

3. Optimize SQL: Regularly analyze and optimize SQL statements and PeopleCode to improve efficiency. The PeopleSoft Developer's Guide for PeopleTools & PeopleCode offers optimization tips.

4. Leverage Caching: Use application server and web server caching mechanisms to reduce database load and improve response times. Configuring and Managing the Application Server details caching strategies.

5. Secure Your System: Implement the latest security patches and follow best practices for PeopleSoft security, including setting up proper roles and permissions. The PeopleSoft Security Administrator’s Guide is a crucial reference.

6. Educate and Train Staff: Ensure your team is well-versed in PeopleTools features and best practices through ongoing training. Oracle University offers courses on PeopleTools and other PeopleSoft topics.

By focusing on these areas, a PeopleSoft Administrator can significantly improve the performance, security, and functionality of their PeopleSoft environment.

How to Display PeopleTools Skills on Your Resume

2. Application Engine

An Application Engine is a PeopleSoft server-side component that enables developers and administrators to create, run, and manage background SQL-based batch and online programs within the PeopleSoft environment. It is used for complex data processing tasks, automation of business processes, and integrating with other systems.

Why It's Important

Application Engine is crucial for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it enables the automation and execution of complex, high-volume batch processing and data manipulation tasks, ensuring efficient and scalable system performance.

How to Improve Application Engine Skills

Improving an Application Engine in PeopleSoft involves various strategies aimed at enhancing performance, reliability, and maintainability. Here's a concise guide:

1. SQL Optimization: Optimize SQL statements within the Application Engine programs. Use indexes effectively and ensure SQL statements are tuned for performance. PeopleBooks SQL Performance

2. Array Processing: Utilize array processing to minimize database round-trips. Set the appropriate array size based on your environment's characteristics. PeopleBooks AE Array Processing

3. Parallel Processing: Implement parallel processing where feasible to distribute the workload across multiple processes or servers. PeopleBooks Parallel Processing

4. Effective Use of Temporary Tables: Leverage temporary tables to handle large volumes of data more efficiently. Ensure you have sufficient temporary table instances for your processes. PeopleBooks Temporary Tables

5. Tuning Application Engine Programs: Continuously monitor and tune the performance of Application Engine programs. Utilize tools like Application Engine Trace and PeopleSoft Performance Monitor. PeopleBooks Tuning AE Programs

6. Effective Error Handling: Implement robust error handling within your Application Engine programs to ensure they fail gracefully and provide meaningful error messages. PeopleBooks Error Handling

7. Update Statistics Regularly: Ensure database statistics are up-to-date to help the optimizer choose the best execution plans for SQL statements. PeopleBooks Update Statistics

By focusing on these areas, a PeopleSoft Administrator can significantly improve the performance and efficiency of Application Engine programs.

How to Display Application Engine Skills on Your Resume

3. Integration Broker

An Integration Broker in the context of a PeopleSoft Administrator is a middleware tool within PeopleSoft that enables the exchange of asynchronous and synchronous messages between PeopleSoft applications and external systems, facilitating seamless data integration and communication across different platforms.

Why It's Important

Integration Broker is crucial for a PeopleSoft Administrator as it facilitates seamless data exchange and communication between PeopleSoft and external systems, enabling efficient interoperability and integration of diverse applications within an organization’s IT ecosystem.

How to Improve Integration Broker Skills

To improve Integration Broker as a PeopleSoft Administrator, focus on the following steps:

1. Optimize Network Configuration: Ensure that your network is configured optimally for the best performance. Oracle's Network Configuration Guide can provide specific settings and adjustments.

2. Monitor and Tune Performance: Regularly monitor the Integration Broker's performance and tune it as needed. Use PeopleSoft Performance Monitor (PPM) to identify bottlenecks.

3. Update and Patch Regularly: Keep your PeopleSoft environment updated with the latest patches and updates. Check Oracle's PeopleSoft Update Manager (PUM) for the latest releases.

4. Secure Your Integrations: Implement robust security measures to protect your integrations. Refer to PeopleSoft Security Best Practices for guidance.

5. Use Effective Error Handling and Logging: Implement comprehensive error handling and logging mechanisms to quickly identify and resolve issues. The Integration Broker Logging and Troubleshooting Guide outlines best practices.

6. Leverage Caching: Utilize caching effectively to improve performance. The PeopleSoft Application Server Administration Guide provides details on configuring cache settings.

7. Optimize Message Processing: Adjust message processing settings to ensure optimal throughput. See Configuring Integration Gateway Properties for setup options.

8. Engage in Continuous Learning: Stay informed about the latest best practices and features by frequently visiting Oracle's PeopleSoft Information Portal.

By strategically focusing on these areas, you can significantly improve the performance and reliability of PeopleSoft's Integration Broker.

How to Display Integration Broker Skills on Your Resume

4. PeopleCode

PeopleCode is a proprietary programming language used in Oracle's PeopleSoft applications for customizing and automating business processes, manipulating data, and integrating with other systems. It is essential for PeopleSoft Administrators to manage and optimize application functionality and user interaction.

Why It's Important

PeopleCode is important for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it provides the necessary tools to customize, automate, and enhance the functionality and usability of the PeopleSoft applications, ensuring optimal performance, user satisfaction, and compliance with business requirements.

How to Improve PeopleCode Skills

Improving PeopleCode, the proprietary language used in Oracle's PeopleSoft applications, involves understanding best practices for coding efficiency, maintainability, and performance. Here's a concise guide aimed at PeopleSoft Administrators:

1. Understand PeopleCode Contexts: Recognize when and where your code executes. Different events have different impacts on performance and functionality.

2. Use Built-in Functions and Methods: Maximize the use of PeopleSoft's delivered functions and classes to avoid reinventing the wheel and to ensure your code runs optimally.

3. Optimize SQL in PeopleCode: Make direct SQL calls sparingly and wisely. Use Record objects when possible for automatic row handling and buffer synchronization.

4. Apply Effective Error Handling: Implement robust error and exception handling to make your PeopleCode more resilient and easier to debug.

5. Adhere to Coding Standards: Follow PeopleSoft coding standards to maintain code consistency, readability, and maintainability across your organization.

6. Leverage PeopleCode Trace: Use trace settings to debug and optimize your PeopleCode. Analyzing trace files can help identify performance bottlenecks and logic errors.

7. Review and Refactor Regularly: Periodically review and refactor your PeopleCode for performance and maintainability, especially after major PeopleSoft updates.

8. Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest PeopleSoft updates and best practices by regularly visiting Oracle's PeopleSoft Technology Blog and the Oracle PeopleSoft Docs.

By focusing on these aspects, PeopleSoft Administrators can ensure that the PeopleCode they oversee or write themselves is efficient, maintainable, and aligned with the best practices recommended by Oracle and the PeopleSoft developer community.

How to Display PeopleCode Skills on Your Resume

5. SQR

SQR (Structured Query Report) is a programming language used for database processing and report generation, commonly utilized in PeopleSoft applications for creating complex reports and data processing tasks.

Why It's Important

SQR (Structured Query Report) is important for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it provides a powerful scripting language for database querying, reporting, and data processing, enabling the creation of complex reports and batch processes tailored to an organization's specific needs within the PeopleSoft environment.

How to Improve SQR Skills

To improve SQR (Structured Query Reporting) performance in a PeopleSoft environment, consider the following concise strategies:

1. Optimize SQL Queries: Ensure SQL statements within SQRs are efficient by using indexes and avoiding full table scans. Oracle Performance Tuning
2. Limit Rows Early: Use the FIRST command to limit rows processed early in the data retrieval process.
3. Use Arrays: Take advantage of arrays for batch processing to minimize database hits.
4. Parallel Processing: Implement parallel processing by dividing the workload into multiple SQR processes that run concurrently. PeopleSoft Parallel Processing
5. Tune SQR Programs: Analyze SQR programs for performance bottlenecks and optimize the code. SQR Performance Tuning
6. Database Optimization: Work with your DBA to ensure the database is optimized for SQR workloads, including proper indexing and configuration settings. Database Performance Tuning Guide
7. Use Load-Lookup: Reduce database access by using the LOAD-LOOKUP function to cache data in memory.
8. Proper Use of COMMITs: Place COMMIT statements strategically to avoid excessive disk I/O while maintaining data integrity.

By implementing these strategies, a PeopleSoft Administrator can significantly improve the performance of SQR reports, ensuring faster execution times and more efficient resource utilization.

How to Display SQR Skills on Your Resume

6. Oracle Database

Oracle Database is a comprehensive relational database management system (RDBMS) that enables the storage, retrieval, and manipulation of data, serving as the backend database for PeopleSoft applications to manage vast amounts of data efficiently and securely.

Why It's Important

Oracle Database is crucial for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it serves as the core repository for all PeopleSoft applications, managing data storage, security, and retrieval efficiently, ensuring optimal application performance, reliability, and scalability.

How to Improve Oracle Database Skills

Improving an Oracle Database for a PeopleSoft Administrator involves multiple aspects, including performance tuning, storage optimization, and security enhancements. Here’s a concise guide:

1. Performance Tuning: Focus on optimizing SQL queries, indexing strategies, and memory management. Oracle's Automatic Workload Repository (AWR) and SQL Tuning Advisor are key tools for identifying performance bottlenecks and recommending improvements. Oracle Performance Tuning Guide.

2. Storage Optimization: Implement partitioning to manage and access large tables efficiently. Consider using Advanced Compression to reduce storage costs and improve performance. Oracle Partitioning Guide.

3. Security Enhancements: Regularly update Oracle Database to the latest version to patch vulnerabilities. Implement Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) to protect data at rest and configure network encryption for data in transit. Oracle Security Guide.

4. Regular Monitoring and Maintenance: Use Oracle Enterprise Manager for comprehensive monitoring of database health and to automate maintenance tasks, ensuring optimal performance and availability. Oracle Enterprise Manager.

5. Backup and Recovery: Implement a robust backup strategy using Oracle Recovery Manager (RMAN) for data protection and quick recovery in case of data loss. Oracle Backup and Recovery User’s Guide.

6. Leverage Oracle Exadata: For larger environments, considering migrating to Oracle Exadata, which offers superior performance for Oracle Databases through hardware and software optimizations. Oracle Exadata Documentation.

7. Stay Informed and Educated: Regularly consult Oracle's official documentation and the vibrant Oracle community for the latest best practices and tips. Oracle PeopleSoft Resources.

By focusing on these areas, a PeopleSoft Administrator can significantly improve the performance, reliability, and security of their Oracle Database environment.

How to Display Oracle Database Skills on Your Resume

7. SQL Server

SQL Server is a relational database management system developed by Microsoft, designed to store, manage, and retrieve data for a wide range of applications, including PeopleSoft environments. It provides essential database services and tools for administrators to manage data integrity, performance, and security.

Why It's Important

SQL Server is important for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it serves as a robust and scalable database management system, critical for storing, retrieving, and securing the extensive data that PeopleSoft applications handle, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of the HR, finance, and CRM systems.

How to Improve SQL Server Skills

Improving SQL Server performance in the context of a PeopleSoft Administrator involves focusing on database optimization, query tuning, and system monitoring. Here are concise steps with relevant resources:

1. Index Maintenance: Regularly review and optimize indexes. Use SQL Server's Index Tuning Wizard for suggestions.

   • Index Tuning Wizard

2. Update Statistics: Ensure statistics are up-to-date for accurate query optimization.

   • Update Statistics

3. Query Optimization: Analyze and optimize expensive queries using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Execution Plans.

   • Execution Plans

4. Database Configuration: Adjust database settings such as MAXDOP and memory allocation based on your workload.

   • Configure SQL Server

5. Monitor Performance: Regularly monitor system and SQL performance using tools like SQL Server Performance Monitor and Dynamic Management Views.

   • Performance Monitor
   • Dynamic Management Views

6. Regular Backups and Maintenance Plans: Implement a robust backup strategy and automate routine maintenance tasks.

   • Backup and Restore

7. Security Best Practices: Apply SQL Server security best practices to protect data integrity and limit vulnerabilities.

   • Security Best Practices

By focusing on these areas, a PeopleSoft Administrator can significantly improve SQL Server performance and reliability.

How to Display SQL Server Skills on Your Resume

8. ElasticSearch

ElasticSearch is a powerful, open-source, full-text search and analytics engine that allows for quick and scalable search capabilities across large volumes of data, commonly used to enhance search functionalities within applications like PeopleSoft for improved data retrieval and insights.

Why It's Important

Elasticsearch is crucial for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it significantly enhances search capabilities, ensuring swift, accurate access to vast amounts of data within PeopleSoft applications, thereby improving user experience and operational efficiency.

How to Improve ElasticSearch Skills

Improving Elasticsearch performance for a PeopleSoft Administrator involves several strategies focused on optimizing configurations, monitoring system health, and ensuring efficient querying. Here are concise steps to enhance your Elasticsearch setup:

1. Optimize Indexing: Review and adjust your indexing strategy. Use appropriate field data types and avoid unnecessary fields to reduce index size and improve speed. Elasticsearch Indexing

2. Adjust Refresh Intervals and Shards: Increase the refresh interval for indices with less frequent searches to improve indexing performance. Also, determine the optimal number of shards per index based on your data volume. Shards and Replicas

3. Query Optimization: Write efficient queries. Use filters for exact matches to take advantage of caching. Avoid deep pagination for better performance. Search Your Data

4. Use Caching: Leverage Elasticsearch's query cache and request cache to speed up repeated search queries. Shard Request Cache

5. Monitor Performance: Utilize the Elasticsearch monitoring tools to track and analyze performance metrics. Address any anomalies or bottlenecks promptly. Monitoring Elasticsearch

6. Hardware Considerations: Ensure your hardware is optimized for Elasticsearch. This includes sufficient RAM for caching and fast disks (such as SSDs) for storage. Tune for Disk Usage

7. Regular Maintenance: Periodically review and optimize your cluster health. This includes managing indices (such as closing, deleting, or archiving old ones) and updating Elasticsearch to the latest stable version for performance improvements and new features. Cluster Update

By following these steps, PeopleSoft Administrators can significantly enhance the performance and efficiency of their Elasticsearch environments.

How to Display ElasticSearch Skills on Your Resume

9. Change Assistant

Change Assistant is a tool used by PeopleSoft administrators for automating the application of updates and fixes, managing upgrades, and installing new features across PeopleSoft applications, thereby streamlining the maintenance and deployment process.

Why It's Important

Change Assistant is crucial for a PeopleSoft Administrator as it streamlines the application of updates and patches, ensuring the system remains current, secure, and performs optimally.

How to Improve Change Assistant Skills

To improve Change Assistant as a PeopleSoft Administrator, follow these concise steps:

1. Stay Updated: Ensure Change Assistant is always updated to the latest version for new features and bug fixes. Reference the Oracle PeopleSoft Change Assistant Update Guide.

2. Optimize Configuration: Properly configure Change Assistant settings according to your environment for optimal performance. This includes setting up file locations, defining database connections correctly, and configuring the job scheduler. Detailed instructions can be found in the PeopleSoft Deployment Packages for Update Images Installation.

3. Utilize Templates: Use templates for frequently performed tasks to save time and ensure consistency. Learn how to create and manage templates in the PeopleSoft Change Assistant documentation.

4. Parallel Processing: Take advantage of parallel processing for applying updates to reduce downtime. This setting can be adjusted in Change Assistant options. More information on parallel processing can be found in the PeopleSoft Update Manager documentation.

5. Regular Maintenance: Regularly perform maintenance on the Change Assistant tool itself, including cleaning up logs and temporary files to ensure smooth operation. Guidance on maintenance can be skimmed through in the PeopleSoft Information Portal.

6. Training and Community Engagement: Stay informed about best practices and new features by participating in Oracle University training and PeopleSoft community forums. Engage with the community for tips and tricks at the Oracle PeopleSoft Community.

By following these steps and keeping engaged with the latest PeopleSoft updates and community advice, you can significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Change Assistant in your role as a PeopleSoft Administrator.

How to Display Change Assistant Skills on Your Resume

10. Data Mover

Data Mover is a PeopleSoft utility that allows administrators to transfer data between PeopleSoft databases. It can be used for tasks such as importing, exporting, and updating data across different environments.

Why It's Important

Data Mover is important for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it allows for the efficient transfer of data between databases, facilitating tasks such as data migration, backup, restoration, and environment refreshes, thus ensuring data integrity and operational continuity in a PeopleSoft environment.

How to Improve Data Mover Skills

To improve Data Mover for a PeopleSoft Administrator, follow these concise steps:

1. Update to the Latest Version: Ensure you're running the latest version of PeopleSoft and Data Mover for optimal performance and security. Oracle's PeopleSoft Information Portal provides updates and documentation.

2. Optimize Scripts: Review and optimize your Data Mover scripts for efficiency. Avoid unnecessary operations and streamline data manipulation tasks. PeopleBooks offers scripting guidelines.

3. Use Parallel Processing: Where possible, leverage parallel processing to speed up data transfer operations. This may require script adjustments and system configuration.

4. Monitor and Tune Performance: Regularly monitor Data Mover performance and identify bottlenecks. Use system monitoring tools and consider Oracle's Performance Monitoring solutions for insights.

5. Implement Best Practices for Security: Secure your data transfers by following PeopleSoft Data Mover security best practices, such as encrypting data files and using secure connections. The PeopleSoft Security Administrator's Guide provides detailed recommendations.

6. Educational Resources: Continuously educate yourself on new features and best practices through Oracle University and the Quest Oracle Community for PeopleSoft.

Remember, regular maintenance and staying informed about the latest technology advancements are key to optimizing Data Mover performance.

How to Display Data Mover Skills on Your Resume

11. PS Query

PS Query is a tool within PeopleSoft that allows users and administrators to extract data from the PeopleSoft database by building and executing SQL queries through a user-friendly interface, without needing to write SQL code directly.

Why It's Important

PS Query is important for a PeopleSoft Administrator because it enables efficient data retrieval and reporting from the PeopleSoft database, facilitating informed decision-making and operational support.

How to Improve PS Query Skills

To improve PS Query performance and efficiency in Peoplesoft, follow these concise strategies:

1. Optimize SQL: Ensure the SQL generated by PS Query is efficient. Use Explain Plan to analyze and optimize SQL paths.

2. Indexes: Create necessary indexes on frequently queried columns to speed up data retrieval. Review Oracle's Indexing Guidelines for best practices.

3. Analyze Query Access Paths: Use the PeopleSoft Query Access Path feature to inspect and adjust how tables are joined. Refer to the PeopleSoft Query documentation for guidance.

4. Prompt Tables with Criteria: Limit prompt table results by specifying criteria, reducing the data fetched and improving performance.

5. Limit Rows: When designing queries, limit the rows returned either by using criteria or the 'Max Rows' feature in PS Query to avoid fetching excessive data.

6. Regular Maintenance: Perform regular database maintenance, including updating statistics, which helps the optimizer choose the best execution plan. See Database Maintenance for more information.

7. Query Runtime Statistics: Utilize the Query Runtime Statistics feature in PeopleSoft to analyze the performance of your queries.

8. Leverage Temporary Tables: For complex queries, consider using temporary tables to store intermediate results, reducing the complexity and execution time.

9. Avoid Unnecessary Columns: Only select columns that are actually needed for your report or process to minimize the amount of data processed and transferred.

10. Use Subqueries Wisely: Subqueries can be powerful but may lead to performance issues if not used properly. Ensure they are necessary and optimized.

For a deeper understanding and more advanced techniques, regularly consult the PeopleSoft Information Portal and the Oracle Performance Tuning Guide.

How to Display PS Query Skills on Your Resume

12. Process Scheduler

A Process Scheduler in the context of a PeopleSoft Administrator is a server component that manages the execution of batch processes and reports, ensuring they run at specified times or in response to specific events, and allocates the necessary resources for their execution.

Why It's Important

The Process Scheduler in PeopleSoft is crucial for automating and managing the execution of various background processes and jobs, such as reports, batch processes, and integrations. It ensures efficient use of system resources, timely data processing, and helps in maintaining smooth operational workflows, which are vital for a PeopleSoft Administrator to ensure system reliability and performance.

How to Improve Process Scheduler Skills

To improve the Process Scheduler in PeopleSoft as an administrator, you should consider the following concise steps:

1. Optimize Server Definitions: Review and adjust server definitions to ensure they match your workload requirements. This includes configuring the server's Maximum Processes and setting appropriate Process Categories.

2. Monitor and Analyze Performance: Regularly use the Process Monitor and System Process Requests pages to analyze process run times and identify bottlenecks or inefficiencies.

3. Purge Process Request Tables: Regularly purge processed and no-longer-needed data from the PSPRCSRQST and PSPRCSQUE tables to improve performance. Use the delivered Purge Process page for this task.

4. Database Maintenance: Ensure that your database is regularly maintained. This includes tasks such as updating statistics, rebuilding indexes, and monitoring tablespaces for optimal performance.

5. Configure Parallel Processing: Where applicable, use parallel processing by setting up additional Process Scheduler servers and distributing the workload among them.

6. Adjust Priority Settings: Prioritize processes using the Priority field in the Process Scheduler Request table (PSPRCSRQST) to ensure critical processes have precedence.

7. Apply Patches and Updates: Regularly check for and apply Oracle-delivered patches and updates that may contain performance improvements for the Process Scheduler.

For more detailed information and guidance, refer to the following external resources:

• PeopleSoft Process Scheduler guide on Oracle's official documentation site.

• PeopleTools: Server Administration Guide for in-depth server configuration and management practices.

• Optimizing PeopleSoft Performance for general performance improvement tips that also benefit Process Scheduler.

How to Display Process Scheduler Skills on Your Resume